Florida!!

   We are having a great time in FL.  It was a very, very, very long drive from CT to FL.  My husband and I drove straight through to FL.  The two little ones did excellent in the car, even my 18 year old daughter, Ashlee did a great job with such a long trip.

   It took us almost 30 hrs do get to my Grandmother's house in Port Charlotte, FL.  First of all we had to pull a UHaul behind us (5x8), that was interesting.  In Virginia was sat in traffic for 2 hours.  That was not fun!  When we got into Georgia early Tues. morning(3:30am) my husband and I had to stop at a rest area and sleep for a few hours.  It was not an easy drive.  Hopefully when we leave to go back home it will be a quicker drive.

   We will be leaving Ashlee here in FL Sunday evening to attend college at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL.  That is going to be a tough day for all of us, especially her.  My heart feels like it is going to burst with sadness when I think about leaving her in FL.  I know at some point we have to let our children go, but it just seems so soon that she is leaving us.  Ashlee is excited for this next phase in her life, and a little apprehensive.  I am thankful that she is only an hour and a half from my Grandmother's house, twenty minutes from my friends house and she has three of her graduating classmates attending to same college.  There are plenty of people that she knows down here in FL.  She'll have a great time and I know the Lord has exciting things awaiting her.

   Ashlee's Detroit trip last month went well.  She said it was one of the best weeks of her life.  It was spiritually uplifting for her. As far as Ashlee's competition, she made it to the second round.  There were over 500 female vocal performers.  She was a little disappointed to not make it farther into the competition, but enjoyed the experience.

   I will post pictures from FL in my next update.  Please add Ashlee to your prayer list while she is away at college.

   God is good.

Off to Detroit!

   Our oldest daughter, Ashlee, just left for Detroit early this morning.  This is the trip I have written about in my earlier blogs.  She will be competing Tuesday morning in the female vocal solo group.  This is the largest group of competitors in the entire competition.  I believe it's about 500 girls.  Ashlee is very excited and nervous at the same time.  I know that she will do well!

   Once again my husband and I are signed up to do foster care again.  We are both ready to help more children.  We are praying for an infant that has some medical issues to come into our home.  This is where our hearts are at, to help children with medical issues.  We have taken care of three children with complex medical needs and adopted them.  We have watched them flourish and have watched them struggle.  We have even watched one of them pass away.  Every moment with the three of them has been worth it.  All three of them have enriched our families lives.  Even though we lost our Alana we know that she would want us to continue helping children with medical issues.

   I will keep you posted when a child does come into our home.  I was telling my husband the other day that we have had all kinds of children come into our home, sick and well.  But the only challenge we have never had is "twins".  Crazy, right!!!  Some of my friends say be careful what you wish for.  It would be fun.  Somebody's has to care for them, why not us.  I'm excited to see what the Lord has for us.

   Please pray  for Ashlee in Detroit this week and for us as we start foster care again.  Also we need prayers as we are trying to figure out how to start up Alana's foundation.

God is good.